GCV - Looking into, lots of questions!

[junglejoy]

We originally went to a DVC presentation @ WDW - Saratoga Springs was the resort, IIRC - about three or four years ago. We are DL regulars and have only been to WDW the one time. When I read there was now DVC in Anaheim, I ran to Mr. JJ and told him we now have to make a trip to DL to get DVC! He told me to look into it first, so that's what I'm doing.

How much are points at GCV? How many points would I need for five people to stay 1-2 weeks a year?

Are there any incentives for first-time buyers?

If we finance, is it better to finance through Disney or some other company? How hard is it to find another company?

Is there any bargaining room? I would think so with the economy being kinda slow right now...

If you've been to GCV, how crowded is the pool, etc? What are the rooms like? What are the sleeping options (how many per roomj)?

We've loved our stays at the GC but I think it would be a pretty crowded hotel with a DVC resort attached to it. But oh how I would love to stay there every time we visit DL. Great location and great pool. Thanks all! And if I've posted this in the wrong thread, so sorry.

 

[bumbershoot]

I only have one answer (though I believe the answer to "any bargaining room?" is no).

If you're financing, unless you can get a good rate on a personal loan, you'd have a hard time finding a company. Why? Because it's basically a mortgage, on something you don't fully own. Disney is the "bank" when they finance it, so it's pretty easy. Painless, actually, and when DH got the loan his credit wasn't all that great. He got the preferred interest rate anyway.

But if you can get a personal loan in that amount for under 10%, that would be better.

 

[rlovew]

For 5 people you would need at least a 1 bedroom so it would dpend on the season you were traveling it dpeneds 1 week is: 238 points in the lowest season, 290 in the middle to low season, 390 for main season(summer and spring break time), and 463 over the holidays.

 

[Quilter007]

I believe they added some pools & hot tubs w/ the addition. Obviously, the pools will be more crowded in the warmer seasons.

As for financing through the resale market, I would ask the resale broker about that. I believe it is available. It could also be available through a home equity loan, although, that is not my personal preference.

I would seriously investigate the resale market. You should also seriously consider if you are going to vacation in Anahiem 45+ times in the next 50 years.

For us, we love our VGC points and are wondering if we should by more. Now doesn't seem like quite the right time, so perhaps on another day.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[silmarg]

VGC on the resale market may not be so easy to find.

According to DVCNews dot com, 160+ points can be had for $95 (112-17) while 270+ go for $93 (112-19).

 

[ACDSNY]

Here's a link to the incentives from a webcast earlier this month for a general idea of pricing. Scroll drown to the VGC and click on the Financing link.

 

[DonaldDaisyDani]

First of all call DVC! You met with a Guide three or four years ago so call them, they are educated on GCV. We own AK Villas and now GCV, so HAPPY!!!! Grand Cal is the BEST Disney resort on either coast in my opinion.

Call the guide, if you don't know the guide go to disneyvacationclub.com call the 800 number and get the point charts, etc. That's what the guides are for is to teach you what you want to know and help you become a member if you so choose. You can buy through DVC but finance elsewhere. You will not find GCV on resale I am fairly certain. And with only 50 villas you will need that priority.

 

[stopher1]

• How much are points at GCV? How many points would I need for five people to stay 1-2 weeks a year?
• Are there any incentives for first-time buyers?
• If we finance, is it better to finance through Disney or some other company? How hard is it to find another company?
• Is there any bargaining room? I would think so with the economy being kinda slow right now...
• If you've been to GCV, how crowded is the pool, etc? What are the rooms like? What are the sleeping options (how many per roomj)?

We've loved our stays at the GC but I think it would be a pretty crowded hotel with a DVC resort attached to it.

First of all, as other posters have said - call DVC. They will definitely be able to give you the run down on all of available pricing and incentives. There certainly are incentives, most of which require a referral from an existing member. Since you attended a presentation a few years ago you probably won't need one.

There are points charts for all of the DVC resorts at the top of this page underneath the sponsor's logo, on the right side, except for VGC...hopefully that one will be added soon. One of the pp's did mention how many points per week per season though.

As for bargaining room - no. You either take what they offer or not. Even with the current economy, it is what it is. And while there MAY be a contract or two available for resale - there won't be many if at all, since it is still so new. Over time there may be more, but right now - it really is Disney's game.

Finding a lender in the current economy for a timeshare purchase might not be that easy. But if you are able to do so and secure a better deal than Disney offers, go for it.

As far as the resort addition goes, the new DVC villas actually take up less of the new addition that the traditional hotel rooms do. They built only 50 villas, and about 200 new hotel rooms. It really doesn't feel crowded at all though. The new wing is absolutely beautiful and just fits right in - and is accessible via its' own elevator lobby, as well as connecting hallways to the rest of the hotel. They did also build a new pool, and a new hot tub - which is larger than the original one - so now there are three pools (plus the kiddie one) and 2 hot tubs in one nice enclosed pool complex. Quite nice. I was there about 4 weeks ago so I can't comment on what they'll be like in the summertime - but definitely not crowded during the afternoon while I was there.

As a family of 5 you would need to be in a 1 BR at least. Like the other DVC resorts, have the king size bed in the master bedroom, and then the sleeper couch in the living room - and instead of the sleeper chair like Animal Kingdom Lodge and now Bay Lake Tower have - the VGC villas have a Murphy bed in the living room, cleverly hidden underneath the tv in the built in cabinet on the wall. Fold it up during the day and you don't even think about it!

I hope you find what you are looking for - and if you do buy, I'm positive you'll enjoy it. We're looking forward to our next stay there in the early summer!

 

[Dean]

There is a lender who will do a mortgage, Timesharelending.net. In order to write off the interest it must be in a mortgage format and secured by a first or second home. Given the newness and incentives, it's unlikely to find GCV points for cheaper resale. The only ways to get interest much or any cheaper is to use things like a HELOC or a no interest CC though the risk with the CC are dramatic enough that I'd really discourage that. You could wait and save up or you could buy the minimum and pay it off ASAP then save for add ons. Just realize that it's a small property and there's no guarantee of future add on availability at that resort. HI might also be a reasonable consideration for you when the details become available likely within the next year or just over. Actually enough points for GCV every other year (EOY) and HI EOY to every third year might be an ideal set up.

 

[junglejoy]

Thank you, all for you input.

Now I have a few more questions... of course!

What are some of the perks DVC members get @ the DL resort besides the great rooms?

Do DVC members have free access to the gym @ the GC? Is pool hopping allowed at the DLH and PP?

I read there's a 10% discount on food purchases at the parks. Is this sit down restaurants only or are other places included too? (Can I get 10% off of a corn dog, for example?) 10% off of room service? WWS?

Is there a merchandise discount like w/ the Premium AP?

Is there a discount on APs?

I think that's it for now. I really appreciate all of your help. I've learned so much these past couple of days. I think I may have Mr. JJ thinking this is an okay thing to do. We love DL, we go at least three times a year, we love staying at the GC but usually stay at HoJos to save $. It would be so nice to have this option for at least one of our visits. The location is incredible - I know we would love this.

 

[Louiepipbgeeco]

YEs, DVC members receive perks (these can change/vary)
Perks on discounts for food locations and shopping (10-15 % range)
AP at a discount. (about $100 discount)
Free internet, use of gym, laundry use for free etc.
Some at home perks also on car rental for example.
Discount on disney online shopping.
The perks are listed on the Member website.Also at check in you receive a Portable perks brochure I believe.
Another "perk" is ability to add DDP with any ressie without ticket purchase.
Good luck as you make the Journey.... hope to Welcome you Home soon.

 

[nunzia]

...the discount for an AP at DLR is currently $20...only on a new AP, no discounts on renewal. The 100 discount is for WDW APs.
The perks can and do come and go, so don't buy for the perks. Our last visit to DLR saw quite alot of discounts at most food places, some DTD places and the movie theater there.

 

[stopher1]

Pool hopping is not allowed at any of the DLR hotels

Dining discounts at most but not all of the restaurants, both table and counter service. Sadly no discount on the corn dogs. Many of the discounts are the same as if you have an AP. DL AP's are tiered, so you'll get better discounts with Premium than you will with Deluxe. The Premium AP discounts are better than most of the DVC discounts.

Discounts throughout DTD at various shops and restaurants

 

[Lynne M]

Thank you, all for you input.

Now I have a few more questions... of course!

What are some of the perks DVC members get @ the DL resort besides the great rooms?

Do DVC members have free access to the gym @ the GC? Is pool hopping allowed at the DLH and PP?

I read there's a 10% discount on food purchases at the parks. Is this sit down restaurants only or are other places included too? (Can I get 10% off of a corn dog, for example?) 10% off of room service? WWS?

Is there a merchandise discount like w/ the Premium AP?

Is there a discount on APs?

I think that's it for now. I really appreciate all of your help. I've learned so much these past couple of days. I think I may have Mr. JJ thinking this is an okay thing to do. We love DL, we go at least three times a year, we love staying at the GC but usually stay at HoJos to save $. It would be so nice to have this option for at least one of our visits. The location is incredible - I know we would love this.

I'll just reiterate - don't buy for the perks. Only consider what's in the contract. Perks come and go very often, and you should assume that every single perk the other posters mentioned could go away the day after you buy.

Not to be a downer, but we've all seen posts from members who didn't understand this going in, and then are bitterly disappointed and angry when a favorite perk goes away.

 

[nunzia]

Pool hopping is not allowed at any of the DLR hotels

Dining discounts at most but not all of the restaurants, both table and counter service. Sadly no discount on the corn dogs. Many of the discounts are the same as if you have an AP. DL AP's are tiered, so you'll get better discounts with Premium than you will with Deluxe. The Premium AP discounts are better than most of the DVC discounts.

Discounts throughout DTD at various shops and restaurants

I actually got a discount on the corn dogs in DCA. The guy asked if I had an AP and I didn't at the time, but I said 'will DVC do?" and he said sure and gave me the discount

 

[junglejoy]

I called DVC and got an agent in Chicago? Who has never been to GCV?! I was hoping for someone in SoCal, but whatever...

We're looking at getting 170 points which he says can be split into two contracts - 100 + 70.

$15 off per point incentive. I was hoping for better...

170 points for 2009, June Use Year (not sure what this is, does it matter?)

What do you all think? I would imagine if I went to DL I would get better incentives, yes? He said no, but he's a salesman so I'm not I believe him...

Thanks, all!

 

[stopher1]

I called DVC and got an agent in Chicago? Who has never been to GCV?! I was hoping for someone in SoCal, but whatever...

We're looking at getting 170 points which he says can be split into two contracts - 100 + 70.

$15 off per point incentive. I was hoping for better...

170 points for 2009, June Use Year (not sure what this is, does it matter?)

What do you all think? I would imagine if I went to DL I would get better incentives, yes? He said no, but he's a salesman so I'm not I believe him...

Thanks, all!

That doesn't surprise me that you got someone away from CA, though you might try calling back and asking to have a CA guide assigned to you. When I was out there at the beginning of the month I spoke with several CA based guides who would no doubt be more than happy to help you out. I'll send you a PM with a name and contact # if you'd like. I can also send you the promotional info that they gave me at the time that was "good while I was on site" for an add-on. They gave me not just existing member add-on info, but also "prospective member" info as well. Then you can see if it's better than what you were quoted on the phone. Perhaps it would be worth it to you to go down to the park and meet with someone in person. I'm not sure that you would be able to get it without being on property or not, but it might be worth asking about.

Right now they were offering a $15 incentive for 50-100 points add-on, and I think it was $17 incentive for more than 100, but I really don't remember for sure. I'll try to get that info to you in a little while...I've got a DD to get ready for bed.

 

[ACDSNY]

You might want to see if they'll give you the Dec Webcast deal...$18 discount per point for new buyers. If I were you I would call back and ask for a CA based guide, ours is in Orlando and the time difference can be a pain at times.

 

[ACDSNY]

By the way splitting the contracts into 100/70 is a great idea as smaller contracts sell easier if you ever had to sell down the road.

You can ask for a different UY if the June UY isn't a good fit for your normal travel times. We typically travel in the Fall so we wanted a UY that started in Aug. You can't bank any points in the last 4 months of your UY so I wouldn't want my typical travel times to fall into those last 4 months.

 

[lark]

I called DVC and got an agent in Chicago? Who has never been to GCV?! I was hoping for someone in SoCal, but whatever...

My guide is DL based. PM if you want info.